Montgomery County launches new anti-panhandling strategy

Wheaton, MD (WUSA9) -- Montgomery County officials are hoping to discourage panhandling from medians and roads by asking motorists to stop giving money.

"It's not safe and it doesn't help," says County Council President George Leventhal.

Instead, Leventhal and County Executive Ike Leggett launched a new initiative Monday called "Give a Hand Up, Not a Hand Out."

They are encouraging motorists to text "SHARE" to 80077, which will automatically give a $5 donation to the Community Foundation of Montgomery County which provides food, shelter and counselling to homeless people.